The Scottish education secretary John Swinney has said that the government will make sure there are enough places at colleges and universities available to ensure no learners were “crowded out” as a result of the Scottish government’s U-turn on results.
Colleges Scotland said it understood extra funding would be made available for these places in the next academic year, due to start next month.
This afternoon, Mr Swinney announced that all learners in colleges and schools who received downgraded results last week as a result of the moderation process would be reissued with new grades “based solely on teacher or lecturer judgement”.
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Informing admissions bodies
He said the SQA would issue fresh certificates to affected candidates as soon as possible and would inform Ucas and other admission bodies of the new grades “as soon as practical in the coming days to allow for applications to college and university to be progressed”.
He later said the government would discuss the matter with the Scottish Funding Council.
“As the first minister confirmed yesterday, in those cases where moderation led to an increased grade, learners will not lose that award. Many of those young people will already have moved on to secure college or university places on the strength of the awards made to them. To unpick them now would not in any way be fair.
“Finally, due to the unique circumstances of this situation, we will this year make provision for enough places in universities and colleges to ensure that no one is crowded out of a place they would otherwise have been awarded.”
Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said the statement had provided clarity, and the organisation was “pleased that the Scottish government will ensure there are enough places at colleges to enable young people to continue on to further and higher education courses, and it is our understanding that they will meet the additional costs”.
“Colleges will continue to do everything possible to support students with aspirations of coming to college, and we look forward to welcoming all new and returning students back to campuses when the new term starts. During their time at college, students will progress towards their future careers by learning new skills, achieving qualifications, and gaining invaluable hands-on experience of the workplace. The college sector will play a pivotal role in driving Scotland’s social and economic recovery by reskilling, upskilling and delivering employability skills to learners.
“We acknowledge the difficulties that the global pandemic has presented us all with, however, colleges have been working hard to ensure that they can continue delivering high-quality learning and teaching safely, in line with Scottish government and Public Health Scotland guidance, while continuing to provide students a great learning experience. For those who have not yet decided the next steps of their journey, we would encourage them to contact their nearest college for information and advice. Colleges offer a wide range of courses and opportunities, and there is still time to apply.”
